BJU INTERNATIONAL, Volume 99, Number 3: Pages
619-622,
March 2007.

The effect of male circumcision on sexuality

To prospectively study, using a questionnaire, the
sexuality of men circumcised as adults compared to
uncircumcised men, and to compare their sex lives before and
after circumcision.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The study included 373 sexually active men, of whom 255
were circumcised and 118 were not. Of the 255 circumcised
men, 138 had been sexually active before circumcision, and
all were circumcised at >20 years of age. As the Brief
Male Sexual Function Inventory does not specifically address
the quality of sex life, questions were added to compare
sexual and masturbatory pleasure before and after
circumcision.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in sexual drive,
erection, ejaculation, and ejaculation latency time between
circumcised and uncircumcised men. Masturbatory pleasure
decreased after circumcision in 48% of the respondents, while
8% reported increased pleasure. Masturbatory difficulty
increased after circumcision in 63% of the respondents but
was easier in 37%. About 6% answered that their sex lives
improved, while 20% reported a worse sex life after
circumcision.

CONCLUSION

There was a decrease in masturbatory
pleasure and sexual enjoyment after circumcision, indicating
that adult circumcision adversely affects sexual function in
many men, possibly because of complications of the
surgery and a loss of
nerve endings.